Spring driven tandem vehicle toy



A118. 19, 1952 R. J. LoHR SPRING DRIVEN TNDEM VEHICLE TOY 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Aug. 11. 1949 m 3.! www@ JNVENToR. ,64 WVO/LEZ 066 ff/V/i Aug. 19, 1952 R. J. LoHR SPRIG DRIVEN TANDEM VEHICLE TOY 2 ASHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Aug. 1l. 1949 IN VEN TOR. @Ar/VOA@ .f aL/Q /4 ffi/V'k.

Patented Aug. 19, 1952 SPRING DRIYEN TANDEM VEHICLE TOY RaymondrJ. Lohr, Erie, Pa., assigner to vLouis MarxV&-Company, Inc., New York, N; Y., a

corporation of New York Application August 11, 1949, Serial No. 109,746

l This invention relatesto toys, especially vehicle toys, and more particularly to a tandem Vehicle toy such as a locomotive and tender, or an auto and trailer.

The'primary object oi the invention is t'o ygenerally improve vehicle toys. A more particular object is to provide a vehicle toy simulating two vehicles'so related in appearance as to t naturally in tandem. Another object is to provide a vehicletoy driven by a spring motor, which may be Wound or tensioned without the use of a winding key. A more speciiic object is to provide such ato-y in which the two tandem vehicles are variably spaced over a range of spacing, the propulsion spring being tensioned when the vehicles are moved to one end of the range.

Still further objects are to provide such atoy which is simple in construction; which may be made and sold inexpensively; which is readily and quickly tensioned to operate the same; and which affords free-wheeling or coasting ofl'the toy after the vehicles have moved to one end ofthe range and the propulsion spring has been unvvound,

To accomplish the foregoing objects, and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the toy elements Vand their relation one to another, as are hereinafter more particularly described in the vfollowing specification. The specication is accompanied by drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a partially sectioned side elevation of a locomotive and tender toy embodyingfeatures of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts when the vehicles have been pulled apart to tension the spring Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view;v 1 Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken approximately in the plane `of the line fi-l orf-Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a partially sectioned elevation of a modif-led toy simulating an auto and trailer;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view ofthe toy;

` Fig. 7 is a partially sectioned elevation similar to Fig. 5 -b-ut showing the autoand trailer pulled apart to tension the propulsion spring;y

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken in plane of the line 8-3 of Fig. '7; and l Fig. 9 isa fragmentary section taken approximately in the plane to the line 9 9- of Fig. 3.

The invention is illustrated in two forms.V In

the

Figs. l through l the tandem vehicles represent van auto and a small open trailer drawn thereby.

In both forms the toy comprisespa iirst simulated vehicle A, a second simulated vehicle B,

'propulsion wheels C on one of the vehicles, a

springD geared to the vwheels C to propel the same, and means E so connecting the vehicles A and B 1in tandem that the spacing therebetween niay be varied over a range of spacing from the closed-position shown-'in Fig. 1 or 5 to the open positionshown in Fig. 2 or 7. Thearrangement is such that the propulsion spring D is tensioned when the vehicles are spaced at one end of vthe range. When the toy is Areleased the spring prop-els the toy, and during said propulsion causes the vehicles to Ibe moved to a spacing at the other end of the range. In the particular toys here illustrated the spring is a=lpull spring,

,and it is most conveniently tensioned by pulling the vehicles apart to the extended position shown in Figs. 2 and '7, the release of the spring as it propels the vehicles causing them to be drawn together vto the closed positions shown in Figs. i and 5. The gearing is preferably arranged to permit thev coasting or free Wheeling of the toy after the spring is unwound. v l

Referring now to Figs. 1 through fi of the drawing, the vehicle A simulates a steam locomotive.V

The body i2 of the locomotive may be molded out of suitable plastic, and may be ornamented with considerable detail simulating the various accessories on such a locomotive, as well as a series of pilot wheels and .driving wheels `with steam chest, etc. These do not appear on the drawing because the locomotive is shown in section, andY also in order to simplify the drawing. Although many driving wheels may be non-rotatably simulated on the outside of the molded piece, the locomotive really rides on two rotatable rubber wheels ld carried on a shaft i6 journalled in the side Walls of the body l2. The shaft i6 includes a pinion I 3 which may rbe molded integrally therewith.

The simulated coal ltender 2) may also' be molded out of suitable plastic material.A It includes simulated coal at 22, and simulated ywheeled trucks 24 and 25.` However, the tender actually rides on a pair of rotatable wheelsv 28 carriedon an axle journalled in. the side walls of the body Z6., The body 2B is preferably closed at the top and open at the bottom, and is so designed that it may be molded in a simple twopart mold.

The connecting means E consists of a horizontal bar 32 which extends slidably in longitudinal direction through the vehicle Af. The har 32 is rigidly connected to the forward end of the vehicle B, andin thel present case is made of plastic and is molded integrally with the vehicle body 20. The bar 32 is preferably channel-shaped to lighten the same, while retaining adequate crosssection for rigidity and strength. The spring 34 is connected at one end to a pin 36 in the looomotive body A, and is connected at its other end to a pin 38 in the bar 32. The spring extends collaterally of the bar and preferably is disposed Vwall 56.

an intermediate shaft 44 carrying a gear 46. The i gear 4S meshes with the pinion I 8 previously referred to.

It will thus be evident that av train of gearing is provided between the propulsion spring 34 and the propulsion wheels i4 whereby contraction 4of the spring after it has been tensioned causes rotation of the wheels. More specincally, to wind the toy the locomotive and tender are simply pulled apart as shown in Fig. 2, and released, whereupon the spring pulls the rack forwardly and thus .propels the tandem toy on a floor, table, or other surface. As the toy runs along, the spring draws the tender toward the locomotive until the parts lassume the closed position shown in Fig. l. Thereafter the toy may coast or free-wheel, and for this purpose the intermediate shaft 44 is mounted in elongated or slotted bearings shown at 48. Such an arrangement is already known, the parts being so disposed that the gears are engaged when the spring pulls the rack forwardly, and being automatically disengaged to permit coasting of the vehicle when the rack comes to a stop. The arrangement is also of advantage because the gears disengage when the tender is being pulled away from the locomotive to wind the toy, so that the wheels I4 may rest 4 on a table or remain stationary while pulling the tender rearwardly.

In the particular toy here shown the bearings 43 are open at the bottom, the shaft 44 being retained in position by the rack disposed therebeneath. The bar 32 passes slidably through a mating'rectangular opening 50 in the rear wall 52 of the locomotive. It is further guided by a mating rectangular opening 54 (Fig. l) in a transverse wall 56 molded integrally with the locomotive body. The bearings 48 may be, and in the present case are, formed at the lower edges of a pair of bearing walls 58 also molded integrally with the body. These walls are spaced relatively closely together just outside the gear 4S on one side and the pinion 42 on the other, thereby holding the intermediate shaft against axial movement. The intermediate gear 46 is disposed alongside the bar 32, and is large enough in radius so that its lower portion comes beneath the bar and engages the pinion i8.

The toy is preferably provided with stop means to limit the extent to which the bar may be pulled when separating the tandem vehicles. In the present case the forward end of the bar is provided with an upstanding stop 60 which takes effect when it reaches the transverse wall 56, as is shown in Fig. 2.

To assemble the toy the axle 3U with the wheels 28 is added to the tender by springing the side walls of the tender apart. The intermediate shaft 44 with its pinion and gear is dropped loosely into position while holding the toy upside-down. The bar 32 is inserted through the opening 50, it being tilt-ed at an angle to permit the stop 68 to pass through the opening. The bar is then slid all the way forward, whereupon the spring is readily added and the pins 36 and 38 may be headed by the application of a heated tool. The side walls of the locomotive body may then be sprung apart to add two remaining pieces, one being the axle I6 with the propulsion wheels, and the other being a strip S2 which is disposed immediately beneath the bar 32, and which acts to close the lower open side of the rectangular guide notch or opening 54 in the lower edge of The rack teeth 49 preferably do not extend all the way across the top of the bar 32. They ex tend partway across the bar, as is shown in Figs. 4 and 9, thus leaving a smooth top wall at 64, this being of advantage to make possible smooth sliding movement through the openings 50 and 54 previously referred to, that is, to avoid catching by the teeth.

Referring now to Figs. 5 through 8 of the drawing, the forward toy A is molded of plastic, and in this case simulates an auto having a body Il). The rear vehicle B simulates a small open-topped trailer 12 hitched behind the auto lll. The trailer has simulated wheels 14 which may be made rotatable, but which, in the particular case here shown, are non-rotatable, being molded integrally with the trailer and the bar 16. The auto 10 is provided with forward wheels 18, as well as rear .propulsion wheels 80. Since the auto has four running wheels andis considerably heavier than the trailer, the simulated non-rotatable wheels 14 may be drawn along with negligible friction, and indeed may normally be spaced upward slightly from the table or iloor on which the toy is running. However, at slightly greater expense the trailer may also be provided-with rotatable wheels, as in the case of the coal tender previously described.

In many ways the mechanism of this toy is similar to that previously described, the bar 'i6 being a horizontal bar which passes slidably in longitudinal direction through the auto body 10. A part of the top surface .of the bar is provided with rack teeth 82. These mesh with a pinion 84 which rotates a large diameter gear 8B which is disposed alongside the bar 16, and the lower teeth of which engage a pinion 8S on rear axle 90 disposed beneath the bar. Axle carries the propulsion wheels 80, and so a train of step-up gearing is .provided between the propulsion spring 92 and the wheels 80.

As before, the propulsion spring is a pull spring and is disposed collaterally of and is connected to the bar 76. However, in the present case the spring is not disposed within the channel. Instead the spring is located alongside the bar, the forward end being connected to a pin 94 molded integrally with the body of the toy auto, and the rear end being connected to an apertured ear 9E molded on one side of the bar 16. Thus the spring may be pulled from the contracted position shown in Fig. 5 to the extended position shown in Fig. 7. The forward end of bar 'I6 is provided with a stop .projection 98 (Fig. 7) which bears against a transverse wall lll, thus preventing the bar from being pulled entirely out of the auto.

The forward wheels I8 are carried on an axle |02, the ends of which are journalled in bearings 4Hill-formed integrally with the body, the said bearings being open at the bottom. Similarly, the rear aXle'Sl'is journalled in bearings y|66 which'y are open at thebottom. The axles are held upwardly intheopen bearings by means of a sheet metal botto-mv |98. This closes most of the open bottom of the toy, except at thewlieels. The bottom isheld in position by means of a number of plasticvrivets H0 which extenddownwardly from andare vmolded .integrally with the toy zbody,A the lower .ends lof the rivets being spread by heat and pressure after placing the metal bottom in position. A tongue or tab of metal is bent upwardly at ||2 from the bottom wall, and forms a supportto hold the bar 'I6 in alignment, the bar being. additionally guided by a matingnotoh in the bottom of the transverse wall'lllrpreviouslyreferred to. Thewall |00 is cut away to receive not only the rack bar, but also to clearthe' spring 82 :when fully. tensioned. Y.

.f `As before, the' intermediateshaft ||4 may be received in open elongated or slotted bearings I6 formed .at the lower edges o-f bearing walls ||8 molded integrally with the auto body. The intermediate shaft is held vupwardly by the rack bar itself.

.Itwill. be understood that, as before, the `toy is wound -by simply pulling theauto and trailer apart from the position shown in Fig. 5. tothe positionshown in Fig. 7. At this vtime the wheels maybe kept on the iloor because of the disengagement of the: gear train during the winding operati-on. ,When'the toy is released itis propelled forwardby contraction of the spring, and .at the same time` the spring gradually pulls the .trailer up to the auto, :Thereafter the toy may continue coasting or free-wheeling.

To assemble the toy the intermediate shaft is ,dropped into position; the end of the rack bar is passed atan angle thro-ugh the opening |20 in the rear wall |22of the ltoy auto; the bar is then `moved forwardly as far asV possible, after which the spring S2 is added, the forward end being slid over the rivet or pin 94. The forward andrear axles are then dropped imposition, after whioh'the metal bottom wall |98 is. placed over It is believeclthat the construction, method of assembly, and operation of my new spring driven tandem toys, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed de- Scription The toys are comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, 'andmay be sold at low cost. They are suitable for very small .children, for there is no need to guard against loss of awinding key. The toy isV wound by a simple direct pull, and there is someY degree of amusement and mystification because to many people it isnot obvious howthe toy is `motivated and operated.v 'Ihejtoysmay be madefalmost wholly out 'of molded -plastictwhichlends itself to colorful materials and detailed ornamentation, and avoids sharp or dangerous edges, all at low cost.

. It will be understood that while I have` shown the propulsion mechanism in the forward vehicle, it might, if` desired be provided in the rear vehicle. Itwill also bev understood that while I have illustrated the use of a pull spring, it would be possible to employ acompression spring. Moreover, while Ihave shown the spring arranged to be tensioned when pulling the vehicles apart, itwould be possible to tension the spring by pushing the vehicles together, the vehicles then separating during unbeing possible to employ aspiral or helical spring of known type for the motor, thelteeth on'l the rack thenacting primarily to Wind the motor by Itotating the gear train, rather than by directly pulling the spring. *i

It will'therefore be understood that while I have shown and described my invention in several preferred forms, changes may be made in the 'structures disclosed without departing from the `spirit of the invention as sought to be denedin the following claims. Y' v i' LA toy comprising a irst simulated vehicle. a second simulated vehicle', the two simulated vehicles being so .related in appearance as lto fit naturally in tandem for normal continuous operation, propulsion Wheels on one of said Vehicles, a spring in said vehicle gearedto saidA wheels to propel the same, means so connecting said vehicles in tandem that the spacing 'therebetween maybe varied over a range of spacing, and means whereby the spring is tensioned `by the act of physically spacing said Vehicles at one end of the range, there being no Winding key or other such means to tension the spring, the release Vof the spring as it propels the tandem Vehiclescausing them yto be relatively moved tothe otherend of the range, and means thereafter affording freewheeling of the vehicles.

2. A toy comprising a flrst simulated vehicle, a second simulated vehicle, the two simulated vehicles being so related in appearance as to fit naturally in tandem for normal continuous operation, propulsion wheels" onone of. said vehicles, a spring in said vehicle* geared'to said wheels to propel the same, means'so connecting said vehicles in tandem that the spacingtherebetween may be varied over a range of spacing, and means whereby the spring is tensioned by the act of physically pulling said vehicles apart, there being no winding key or other such means to tension the spring, the release of said spring as -it propels the tandem Vehicles causing them to be drawn together and means thereafter'aifording ree-wheeling of the vehicles.

3. A toy comprising a rst simulated vehicle, a second simulated vehicle arranged in tandem, the two simulated vehicles being so Vrelated as to fit naturally in tandem for normal continuous operation, propulsion wheels on the forwardve'- hicle, a spring in the 'forward vehiclegeared Ato said wheels to propel the same, means so connect.- ing said vehicles that the spacing therebetween maybe varied over a range of spacing, and means whereby the spring is tensioned bythe acty of physically pulling said vehicles apart,`there being no winding key or other such means to tension ithe spring, the .release of said spring as it propels the tandem vehicles causing them to bedrawn vtogether, and' means thereafterr affording free'.

wheeling of the vehicles.v v M 4.1A toy comprising a first simulatedvehicle, a second simulated vehicle disposed behind the first, propulsion wheels on one of the vehicles, a horizontal bar connected to one vehicle and eX- tending slidably in longitudinal direction for a substantial distance comparable to the length of the vehicles through theother vehiole,'a spring operating to normally move the vehicles together, said bar having gear teeth meshingy with a rtrain of step-up gearing leading Sto the propulsion wheels. l Y5. 'A toy comprising-a rst vsimulated vehicle, a

7 second simulated vehicle disposed behind the first, propulsion wheels on one of the vehicles, a horizontal bar connected to one vehicle and extending slidably in longitudinal direction for a substantial distance comparable to the length of the vehicles through the other vehicle, a spring operating to normally move the vehicles together, said bar having gear teeth meshing with a train of step-up gearing leading to the propulsion wheels, said gear train including a shaft in slotted bearings so disposed that the gearing is disengaged as the vehicles are pulled apart to tension the spring, the gearing being engaged and the toy being propelled forwardly when released, said vehicles being drawn together, as the toy runs forwardly, the aforesaid slotted bearings affording free wheeling after the rear vehicle has been drawn up to the forward vehicle, and said bar having stop lmeans to limit the extent to which it may be pulled out of the forward vehicle when tensioning the spring.

6. A toy comprising a first simulated vehicle, a second simulated vehicle disposed behind the first, propulsion wheels on one of the vehicles, a horizontal bar rigidly connected to one vehicle and extending slidably in longitudinal direction through the other vehicle, a spring extending collaterally of the bar in the latter vehicle and so connected to the bar as to normally move the rear vehicle up to the forward vehicle, said bar having n laterally of the bar in the latter vehicle and so connected to the bar as to normally move the rear vehicle up to the forward vehicle, said bar having gear teeth meshing with a train of stepup gearing leading to the propulsion wheels, said gear train including a shaft in slotted bearings so disposed that 'the gearing'is disengaged as the vehicles are pulled apart to tension the spring, the gearing being engaged and the toy being propelled forwardly when released, said vehicles ,being drawn together as the toy runs forwardly, the aforesaid slotted bearings affording freewheeling after the rear vehicle has been drawn up to the forward vehicle, and said bar having stop means to limit the extent to which it may be pulled out of the forward vehicle when tensioning the spring.

8. A toycomprising a first simulated vehicle, a second simulated vehicle disposed behind the first, propulsion wheels on the forward vehicle, a horizontal bar rigidly connected to the forward end of the rear vehicle and extending slidably in longitudinal direction for a substantial distance Vcomparable to the length of the vehicles through the forward vehicle, a spring so arranged as to ,normally pull the rear Vehicle up to the forward normally pull the rear vehicle up to the forward vehicle, said bar having gear teeth meshing with a train of step-up gearing leading to the propulsion wheels, said gear train including a shaft in slotted bearings so disposed that the gearing is disengaged as the vehicles are pulled apart to tension the spring, the gearing being engaged and the toy being propelled forwardly when released, said vehicles being drawn together as the toy runs forwardly, the aforesaid slotted bearings affording free wheeling after the rear vehicle has been drawn up to the forward vehicle, and said bar having stop means to limit the extent to which it may be pulled out of the forward vehicle when tensioning the spring.

10. A'toy comprising a first simulated vehicle, a second simulated vehicle disposed behind the first, propulsion wheels on the forward vehicle, a horizontal bar connected to the forward end of the rear vehicle and extending slidably in longitudinal direction for a substantial distance comparable to the length of the vehicles through the forward vehicle, a spring extending collaterally of the bar and operating between the forward vehicle and the bar in such manner as to normally move the rear vehicle up to the forward vehicle, said bar having gear teeth meshing withV a train of step-up gearing leading to the propulsion wheels.

1l. A toy comprising a first simulated vehicle, a second simulated vehicle disposed behind the rst, propulsion wheels on the forward vehicle.' a horizontal bar connected to the forward end of the rear Vehicle and extending slidably in longitudinal direction through the forward vehicle, a spring extending collaterally of the bar and operating between the forward vehicle and the bar in such manner as to normally move the rear vehicle up to the forward vehicle, said bar having gear teeth meshing with a train of step-up gearing leading to the propulsion wheels, said gear train including a shaft in slotted bearings so disposed that the gearing is disengaged as the vehicles are pulled apart to tension the spring, the

gearing being engaged and the toy being propelled forwardly when released, said vehicles being drawn together as the toy runs forwardly, the aforesaid slotted bearings affording freewheeling after the rear vehicle has been drawn up to the forward vehicle, and said bar having stop means to limit the extent to which it may be pulled out of the forward vehicle when ten sioning the spring.

12. A toy comprising a rst simulated vehicle. a second simulated vehicle disposed behind the first, propulsion wheels on one of the vehicles, a horizontal bar connected to one vehicle and extending slidably in longitudinal direction through the other vehicle, a spring operating to normally move the vehicles together, said bar having gear teeth on its top surface, a shaft and pinion disposed above the bar and meshing with said gear teeth, another shaft and pinion for the propulsion wheels disposed below the bar, and a relatively large diameter gear on the upper shaft alongside the bar, said gear being so large in diameter as to mesh with the pinion below the bar.

13. A toy comprising a first simulated vehicle, a second simulated vehicle disposed behind the first, propulsion wheels on one of the vehicles, a horizontal bar connected to one vehicle and extending slidably in longitudinal direction through the other vehicle, a spring operating to normally move the vehicles together, said bar having gear teeth on its top surface, a shaft and pinion disposed abovel the bar and meshing with said gear teeth, another shaft and pinion for the propulsion wheels disposed below the bar, and a relatively large diameter gear on the upper shaft alongside the bar, said gear being so large in diameter as to mesh with the pinion below the bar, said toy having bearings for said shafts, the bearings for the upper shaft being open at the bottom, and the bar itself operating to support the upper shaft in its open-bottomed bearings.

14. A toy as dened in claim 8, in which the forward vehicle simulates a steam locomotive and the rear vehicle simulates a coal tender.

15. A toy as dened in claim 8, in which the forward Vehicle simulates an auto and the rear vehicle simulates a trailer drawn by an auto.

16. A toy as dened in claim 7, in which the forward vehicle simulates a steam locomotive and the rear Vehicle simulates a coal tender.

10 17. A toy as defined in claim '7, in which the forward vehicle simulates an auto and the rear vehicle simulates a trailer drawn by an auto.

RAYMOND J. LOHR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

